Anyone visiting Uganda must surely have a gorilla encounter on their wishlist, and a comfortable lodge with good food and a comfortable bed is a must. Mantana Engagi Camp fits the bill in style. Tucked into the forest just outside Bwindi Forest Park, the camp (also called Engagi Lodge) is a modern paradise. From here, a winding pathway leads 1.3 kilometres to the start of the gorilla trail. The large central area and eight cottages are good, the food and service excellent. But it's the primates, wide views, active wildlife and astonishing rainforest birds that steal the show.




The eight roomy cottages, although not super chic, are very comfortable, with good beds and pillows, an en-suite bathroom with a large and clean bath, big bath towels and complimentary toiletries. Hot-water bottles are available at night. Electricity is solar, the water is hot and you're woken with coffee and tea. The lodge plans to install solar-powered heaters to counteract the chilling effect of the damp rainforest air.
The views of Bwindi's lush forest are sublime and will have you hankering to set off on a gorilla trek from the moment you arrive.
Follow the trail down to the creek and enjoy a mini hike on the property - you may just spot some wildlife along the way.
Engagi is fairly rustic so it may be a change if you've come from a luxe lodge. Also worth nothing that charging of batteries can only be done in the common areas.
Engagi Lodge can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Uganda trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Uganda trips featuring Engagi Lodge or get advice and suggestions from one of our Uganda specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Engagi Lodge start from around $230, or US$230, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
A tangle of lush green vines, this magical forest is the country’s top gorilla trekking destination.